Winter is right around the corner and the mid-quarter cold strikes again as coughs and sneezes reverberate through Sturm. Between cramming for midterms and losing sleep, here are five easy ways for you to stay healthy during the Mid-Quarter Pioneer Plague.
Eat and drink right.
True, Mom isn’t watching, but it’s still not a good idea to eat whatever you want. College provides many opportunities to choose junk food such as cookies, candy and fast food over healthier choices. Avoid over-preserved and processed foods that weaken your body’s immune system and choose healthier on-the-go snacks, like granola bars, fruit (fresh or dried), nuts or yogurt (possibly with all of the above ingredients). In addition to avoiding the Freshman 15, eating healthy gives your body the nutrients it needs to fight the flu.
Timing is everything when it comes to eating. While it might seem like a good idea to put off eating until you finish that paper, it’s much smarter to eat well at regular intervals throughout the day. Drag yourself to the dining hall, even if it’s just to grab a salad. Your concentration and hunger level will improve dramatically afterwards.
While eight glasses a day is an overestimation of how much water you need a day, according to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, drinking lots of water is important for staying hydrated and keeps your skin healthy. Drinking alcohol, on the other hand, lowers your body’s resistance to diseases.
Make sure that what you choose to consume will keep you healthy!
Stay hygienic.
Colleges are petri dishes for colds because of the large number of people from different places all living together in confined spaces – tiny dorm rooms, shared bathrooms and classrooms are all places where you’ll pick up on potential pathogens.
Wear a cheap pair of shower shoes to protect your feet from bacteria and fungi – you never know what else has touched that shower floor. Wash your hands very often and avoid rubbing your nose or eyes in case of contamination.
Even if you’re best buds, don’t share your food or drinks with friends because they might accidentally share something not as fun with you.
Keep your living space clean. You will spend a lot of time in your room, so keeping it clean will reduce your exposure to unwanted micro-organisms — and increase your productivity.
Reduce stress.
Feel like you’re always running out of time? Freaking out over classes? Taking time off from homework might just be the solution to stress – at least temporarily. The American Psychological Association has confirmed that relaxation strengthens health.
Work out at Coors Fitness Center or play some intramural sports to release endorphins. Or maybe you want to take a moment to meditate or do some yoga on the lawn or even in your room. Hang out with a new club, your friends or your significant other. Sit down and give yourself some reading time.
Learning how to take breaks to reduce stress is an important way to stay both physically and mentally healthy.
Sleep and wake up on time.
Perhaps the most important tip: balancing your social and academic life also should leave time for sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep. Your body wants that time to rest and recuperate from the day’s trials and triumphs.
Just as important is waking up on time. Five more minutes with nobody but your cellphone alarm to tell you no can be tempting, but that five minutes can quickly turn into half an hour, and missing class on the quarter system is a recipe for disaster and stress.
A good way to combat this is to make a goal for when you want to go to bed and make sure you actually go to sleep on time; set your alarm for seven to nine hours of sleep and drag yourself out of bed if need be.
College life is tough and overwhelming; you don’t need a cold to go with all that stress. These tips will help you keep your college career cold-free.
To make an appointment or get more tips on how to stay healthy this cold season, contact the Health and Counseling Center at 303-871-2205 or visit http://www.du.edu/duhealth/.
